Liquid handling device



Sept. 19, 1967 E. T. SMITH 3,342,376

LIQUID HANDLING DEVICE Filed Nov. 26, 1965 FIG' I ERIC T- SM/TH INVENTORATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,342,376 LIQUID HANDLING DEVICE EricThomas Smith, Pinner, England, assignor to Eastman Kodak Company,Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Nov. 26, 1965, Ser.No. 509,980 Claims priority, application Great Britain, Nov. 27, 1964,48,441/ 64 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-64) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A solutionhandling apparatus for simultaneously supplying solution from acontainer to a tray and to a solution depth maintaining reservoir forthe tray. A predetermined solution level is maintained in the tray aslong as solution remains in the reservoir.

This invention relates generally to solution handling devices and moreparticularly to an improved apparatus for supplying solution to and froma working station such as a tray.

It is generally old in the photographic document copying art to providea machine having an apparatus or device for supplying a processingsolution to and from a Working station such as a tray. In such amachine, an exposed matrix is normally inserted therein for apredetermined time and then removed as a processed sheet. Every time amatrix is removed from the tray, a small amount of processing solutionis removed with it causing the level of the solution in the tray torecede. In this connection, it is also well known to provide means insuch a machine for maintaining the depth of solution therein at a fixedvalue. However, none of such devices that applicant is aware of providemeans for simultaneously supplying solution to a tray, and to a solutiondepth maintaining means for the tray. I

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedsolution supplying apparatus for a processing machine or the like.

Another object of the invention is to-provide an improved solutionsupplying apparatus for a processing machine of the type having a tray,a solution depth-maintaining means for the tray, and a container ofsolution movable between supply and receive conditions, in which therelative amounts of solution supplied to the tray and depthmaintainingmeans are controlled at least in part by means responsive to the supplyand receive conditions of the solution container.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved solutionsupplying apparatus for a processing machine or the like that is ofsimple design and construction, thoroughly reliable and eflicient inoperation, and economical to manufacture.

To attain these objects, the present invention includes within its scopean apparatus for simultaneously supplying solution from a container to atray, and to a solution depth-maintaining means for the tray. The depthof solution initially supplied to the tray is not more than apredetermined depth, and the solution is maintained at the predetermineddepth by the maintaining means as long as solution remains therein. Thecontainer is movable between a supply condition, during which itsupplies solution to the tray and depth maintaining means, and a receivecondition, during which it receives solution from the tray and depthregulating means. Valve means may be connected to the tray and bemovable between flow-restricting and open positions in response tomovement of the container between its supply and receive conditionsrespectively. The valve means controls the relative volumes 3,342,376Patented Sept. 19, 1967 of solution supplied respectively to the trayand to the depth-maintaining means so that the solution directlysupplied to the tray will not be of more than a predetermined depth.

The aforementioned supply and receive conditions of the collapsiblecontainer depend upon the relation of the container to the tray andregulating means. Thus, if the container is disposed below the tray, itmay be placed in the supply condition by squeezing it by some suitablemechanism to cause the solution to flow from it. With this arrangement,it is placed in the receive condition when the squeezing pressure isremoved. Alternatively, if the container is inverted, it may be placedin the supply condition by moving it to a position above the tray anddepth-maintaining means so that the solution flows therein under theinfluence of gravity. In this case the container is placed in thereceive condition by returning it to a position beneath the tray.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view partially in section of an improvedsolution supplying apparatus of this invention showing the solutioncontainer in its receive condition; and

FIG. 2 is a segmental view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1showing the solution container in its supply condition.

Referring to the drawing, a tray 2 is disclosed of the type used in aphotographic processing machine for receiving a solution 3 such as aprocessing solution. Maintaining means are provided for maintaining thedepth of the solution in tray 2. at a predetermined value while the trayis being used and solution removed therefrom. The maintaining meanscomprises an enclosed reservoir 4 mounted above tray 2, and having asupply tube 6 through which solution from reservoir 4 may pass into tray2. The reservoir 4 further slidably supports a cylindrical air tube 8which in conjunction with supply tube 6 maintains the depth of solution3 at the level of the end of air tube 8 in the same manner as thewell-known chicken feeder. The depth of solution 3 in tray 2 may bevaried by raising or lowering air tube 8 with respect to tray 2.

The solution supplying means for the device comprises a flexible,collapsible container 10 having an outlet 12 connected to the reservoirand tray by means of a generally Y-shaped conduit system 14. The leg ofthe conduit system 14 connected to the mouth 14' of tray 2 comprises acylindrical flexible tube 16 forming part of a valve. One side of tube16 is backed up by a rigid abutment 18 secured to tray 2, and theopposite side of tube 16 is engaged by one end 19 of a lever 20 pivotalabout a pivot 22 at its other end. A reciprocally movable plate 24 ismounted below container 10, and is movable in the direction of thearrows as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 by any means, not shown, towardcontainer 10 for moving it into its supply condition in which it iscompressed expelling solution 3 therefrom into tray 2. and reservoir 4.During such movement, pivotal lever 20 is responsive to the pressureexerted against container 10 for gradually constricting tube 16 forprogressively reducing the amount of solution supplied to the tray 2 byway of tube 1-6. The rate of compression of container 10, thecross-sectional areas of valve tube 16 when constricted, and of areservoir inlet conduit 26 and supply tube 6 are all chosen so that uponmovement of container 10 to its supply condition as seen in FIG. 2, thesolution depth in tray 2 will be quickly brought to the level at whichit is to be controlled, namely even with the end of air tube 8.

The level of solution in tray 2 is automatically maintained in a knownmanner by the supply and air tubes 6, 8 respectively until the supply ofsolution in reservoir 4 is exhausted. It is desired to return solution 3from tray 2, and any solution remaining in reservoir 4 to container 10,the compression means acting on plate 24 is rendered inoperative,opening valve tube 16 so that solution 3 can return through tubes 16, 26into container 10.

In an alternative construction, not shown, the flexible tube 16 may bereplaced by a rigid tube, and the tube constricting mechanism of thevalve comprising lever 20, and supports 18, 22 may be eliminated, and arigid supporting means substituted for lever 20. The cross-sectionalarea of the small tube, in this case, should be selected in relation tothe cross-sectional area of supply tube 6 so that immediately after fullcompression of container 10, the solution level in tray 2 will besubstantially at, but not above, that at which it is to be controlled.

In another alternative construction, not shown, the flexible mouth 12 ofcontainer is made long enough to allow container 10 to be raised to alevel above reservoir 4, so that solution 3 flows from container 10under gravity. The means described above for squeezing container 10 areeliminated, and constricting lever 20 for valve tube 16 may be moved byany suitable means, not shown, linked to the means provided for raisingcontainer 10.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference topreferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variationsand modifications can be effected within the sphere and scope of theinvention as described hereinabove and as defined in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for supplying solution to a tray, the combinationcomprising:

7 a reservoir positioned above said tray;

said reservoir defining an opening providing fluid communication withsaid tray;

means cooperating with said opening for maintaining a predetermineddepth of solution in said tray so long as solution is present in saidreservoir; and

means for simultaneously supplying solution to said tray and reservoirwhereby said tray is filled to said predetermined depth and maintainedat said depth by said maintaining means.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said opening is providedby a tube having one end connected 4 t to said reservoir, and its freeend positioned above said tray. 1

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said solution-supplyingmeans comprises a container for solution, and conduit means connectingsaid container to said tray and reservoir.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein said container is movablebetween a first condition in which it supplies solution to saidreservoir and tray, and a second condition in which it receives solutionfrom said reservoir and tray, and said conduit means comprises a firstconduit interconnecting said container and said tray, a second conduitinterconnecting said container and said reservoir, and valve meansassociated with said first conduit and responsive to said container uponmovement thereof to its first condition for controlling the relativeamounts of solution entering said reservoir and said tray.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein said container isflexible, said solution-supplying means further comprises a firstpressure member for moving said container between its first and secondconditions, said first conduit is flexible, and said valve meanscomprises an abutment member for said first conduit, and a secondpressure member interposed between said container and said first conduitand cooperating with said abutment member to constrict said firstconduit upon movement of said container to its first position.

6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said container is mountedbelow said tray, said first pressure member is positioned'below saidcontainer and movable into engagement therewith, and said secondpressure member is positioned above said container.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said second pressuremember comprises a pivotal lever having a portion thereof movable intoengagement with said first flexible conduit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,932,070 10/1933 Grant et a1.22256 X 2,699,886 1/1955 James 222457 X ROBERT B. REEVES, PrimaryExaminer.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner.

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING SOLUTION TO A TRAY, THE COMBINATIONCOMPRISING: A RESERVOIR POSITIONED ABOVE SAID TRAY; SAID RESERVOIRDEFINING AN OPENING PROVIDING FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID TRAY; MEANSCOOPERATING WITH SAID OPENING FOR MAINTAINING A PREDETERMINED DEPTH OFSOLUTION IN SAID TRAY SO LONG AS SOLUTION IS PRESENT IN SAID RESERVOIR;AND MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY SUPPLYING SOLUTION TO SAID TRAY ANDRESERVOIR WHEREBY SAID TRAY IS FILLED TO SAID PREDETERMINED DEPTH ANDMAINTAINED AT SAID DEPTH BY SAID MAINTAINING MEANS.